A friend of mine is on a very tight budget and I told her I'd help planning her daughters party. They have a beach where she lives so they are having it there and making it a Luau. I have never done one of these parties, but we saw a bunch of stuff at the dollar store for decorations and she was going to get a few things from Oriental Trading but we were looking for games or food that could be done cheaply?

Does anyone have any ideas? The kids are 5 and 6 btw.

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SAHM to Thomas Aiden 9-17-01 and Erica Nicole 5-29-03.

WTH - no responses?

Games for a luau that would be inexpensive and on-theme - a hula hoop contest (could limit it to two hoops to keep cost down) and limbo. Play hawaiian/luau music....maybe download off the internet to keep it cheap. Face painting....hair braiding...

Food - Pizza is usually inexpensive to serve...how about hawaiian pizza? Get some mini drink umbrellas and use them for fruit kabobs with grapes, pineapple, maraschino cherries, etc.

If you have a punch bowl, make a punch with 7up and fruit punch...float fruit slices on the top....festive!

HTH,
cj/

ETA - lots of resources for this on the internet (let google be your friend ) :
FamilyFun: Hawaiian Luau Party (Birthday Party for Kids) - and More Family Fun
Hawaiian Luau
Crafts for Kids: Hawaiian Lei Flower Necklace, Printable Luau Crafts
Hawaiian Lei Craft
Crafts And Culture of Hawaii
Luau

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What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others. -Confucius
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. -Hillel

We got very lucky last year before we had the party. Our local party store was going out of business and I got a TON of decorations for WAY cheap. The Dollar Tree also has a bunch of luau decorations right now.

Games we are playing at our Back To School Beach Party (being held in our backyard):

Hot Beach Ball - played like Hot Potato, but with a mini beach ball
Water Balloon Toss - teams of 2 pass water balloon back in forth until one pair is left w/ their balloon not busted
Beach ball race - each kid puts a mini beach ball (7") between their legs and without touching it, race from one end of the yard to the other
Limbo
Freeze game to luau music (my kids LOVE to dance and play the freeze game!)
* I bought game prizes at Target on clearance last year and a few more this year. We're giving away the really large frisbees, beach towels, a kids toy that connects to the hose to shoot water 4 different ways, large squirt guns, etc.

For party favors, I bought each kid a large sand bucket on clearance at TRU (hoping they get marked down in time this year!!). I filled them with tropical tats, leis, mini water guns (TRU has 3pks on clearance), mini beach balls, tropical candy and few other little water toys.

For crafts, last year we did sand art necklaces and sun visors the kids were able to decorate. This year we are doing sand art castles and can / water bottle holders the kids can decorate. We got the can holders and foam stickers to decorate them with at JoAnn's for 70% off - can holders were .25 each.

For food, last year we did hot dogs, chips and a fruit salad. This year, the kids want pizza.

We started doing this party last year. We ask that everyone who comes brings a school supply item to be donated. Last year, they went to the local Domestic Violence Shelter. This year, they are going to a family needing assistance with back to school items and to the local Helpline Ministry. The kids really went all out with the donations last year and the shelter was very appreciative!!

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Michelle
*Mom to McKenna and Tanyn ~ Nov. 2000 Twins*

Thanks CJ! I haven't had a chance to look things up yet, hopefully tonight.

I love the kabobs and some of the games mentioined in the above post, I think that's what she was looking for, not so much decorations because I think between the dollar store and Oriental Trading that should be covered.

It was more of a keeping 5 & 6 year olds busy sort of thing qhile not spending a fortune.

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SAHM to Thomas Aiden 9-17-01 and Erica Nicole 5-29-03.